Mackensie Alexander Injury: Updates on Clemson DB's Hamstring and Recovery

Despite being a game-time decision for the national championship Monday night, Clemson cornerback Mackensie Alexander was in the starting lineup against Alabama. However, he was unable to last the entire game.

Continue for updates.

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Alexander Ruled Out For Remainder of National Championship Game

Monday, Jan. 11

Early in the third quarter, ESPN's Heather Cox reported Alexander would not return, per Creg Stephenson of AL.com.

Alexander played into the second quarter before being helped into the locker room just before halftime, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

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Alexander Key Cog to Clemson's Secondary 

This could be a significant blow for the Clemson defense. The redshirt sophomore is one of the best cornerbacks in college football. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller argued Alexander is the best man-to-man coverage defender in this year's NFL draft class.

If the Crimson Tide's Cotton Bowl win over Michigan State on New Year's Eve is any indicator, they'll rely quite a bit on the passing game. Jake Coker threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans. Those two TDs went to wideout Calvin Ridley, against whom Alexander would've lined up.

To college football writer Matt Hinton, Alexander is an irreplaceable member of the Clemson secondary:

Adrian Baker will be asked to lineup alongside Cordrea Tankersley in order to help slow the Alabama offense with Alexander out of the lineup.